About Us

Ryden's success is closely due to the values instilled by its founder, Iain Illingworth, who placed great importance to personal integrity, prompt and efficient service, and a personalized approach to the business. We are dedicated to a standard of values that promote honesty, trust and openness. We aim to be dependable and consistent in all our dealings.

Our Beginnings

Iain IllingworthFounding Director

In 1995 Iain Illingworth moved to Kenya, qualifying as a Member of the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya and as a Registered Valuer, and joining and eventually acquiring the firm of Ryden International, based in Nairobi. With a degree in Land Economics, Iain had worked as a Chartered Surveyor for over 31 years, first with Strutt & Parker in Scotland, and thereafter with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), as their Scottish Land Agent.

As Managing Director, between the years 2000 - July 2015, Iain oversaw tremendous growth in the company undertaking property valuations in East Africa, including farms, commercial and residential property. He also guided the expansion of the real estate agency function of the firm, and Ryden International has now become one of Kenya's most respected Estate Agency firm in Kenya.

He passed on in 2015 and his values of integrity, efficient service, and a personalized approach to the business reign supreme at Ryden.

Rose obtained a student placement with Ryden International in 1998, and later in 1999 as a trainee valuer. She has remained with this firm and took over the leadership in 2015.

She holds a degree in Land Economics, and various post certifications in Marketing, Environmental Studies, and Real Estate finance, Business Leadership, etc. She is a qualified and licensed valuer, and a full member of the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya, a Registered and Licensed Estate agent and property manager. She is also registered as a Lead Expert with NEMA.

James OdenyoHead Marketing Department, Registered Estate Agent

James has close to 15 years of diversified experience in marketing of Real Estate including feasibility studies, marketing strategy and sales plan formulation, execution, deal origination, real estate research, negotiations, and team leadership.

James joined Ryden in 2011 and previously gained marketing experience from Citivillas Ltd and Techno Brain Ltd. He holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing and Administration. He is an associate member of Institution of Surveyors of Kenya and a Registered Estate Agent.

Jane Kiungo, G.M.I.S.KProperty Valuer

Jane is a qualified Valuer who has close to 5 years of diversified experience in the Real Estate field, including valuations, marketing, negotiations, and undertaking of feasibility studies. She joined Ryden in 2017 and previously gained valuation experience from Joe Musyoki Consultants and Interurban Valuers Ltd.

She holds a bachelor's degree in Real Estate from the University of Nairobi and is Graduate member of Institution of Surveyors of Kenya.

Joshua Ochom, G.M.I.S.KProperty Valuer

Joshua is a qualified Valuer also with close to 5 years of valuation and site acquisition experience in the Real Estate field, including marketing, site acquisition and negotiations, and feasibility studies. He joined Ryden in 2018 and previously gained marketing experience from Verity Management Limited.

He holds a bachelor's degree in Real Estate from the University of Nairobi and is Graduate member of Institution of Surveyors of Kenya.

Vincent OmareFinance and Site Acquisition

Vincent doubles up as head of Finance and Site Acquisition Officer. He has over 15 years of expertise in site acquisition, land documentation, and negotiations. In the course of his site acquisition experience, he has acquired over 1000 sites for telecommunication companies such as Safaricom, spanning all corners of this country, negotiating with landlords, county offices, and various government departments. He joined Ryden in 1999 and is an accountant by training.